BF 

erro 
Jt 




Jt y- J 



\§m 


. 4 


®iM§xtn. 




: 


F*O..Q 

, Zq. 


***** 




4^-i. ...... 


UNITED STA 


i OF AMEEICA. 









// 



n. 

y ■ 



V 



v y 







V 




9 



-r 






\ * 

















H 
O 

w 

Eh 



0} ^ 

02 I. 

<} HH 



S 2 

CD !h 
> O 



§ 

'43 



s 

PS 

» IM 

ho . o 

5 c.s . « s 
cD.af o^ © gf § hp 



on 



fa 






H S ss.*-.*3 

»"H C OJK^ fl 






«S 



co 



H 

g 

W 

I 



GO 






Ah 

O 

Ph 






ft fl 

CO 02 






CD 



; o d 
2JO 



.'a o5 ° 

c. ^.a I S 
s®^ SI'S 

I CD g O^ O.Sk® 



Oi— iC^COTfiOCOt^COTt" 



CD co fl 
g heed 

©n3 



"•53H 






m a c 
05 S -3 



• 03 * 02 

* CD S3 CD 03 

CD fl CD fl 02 

fl CD > CD <D 
» >*3 > S3 

,>•£ CD\3 CD 

s § is -is 

S as fl erg 

O CD O CD cp 



t-HCMCO ^OWNCOO* 



CD 



"^"S CD 



• 5 fit CD 03 02 

o3J2 £ S ^ 

S IS O CD -X5 



CD 

^ ft'™-. 3 . 

^200 



PS 
Oh 

Q 

02 O 
CO £ 

CD <_> 

ft$ 

02 5-« 

^ ft 

+■> CD 



I* 

PQ a 
. © 

CD 



ALPHABET 



PHRENOLOGY 



A SHORT SKETCH OF THAT SCIENCE, 



FOR THE USE OF BEG1NKERS. 



BY H. T. JUDSON, M. D. 



" The mind is nobler than the universe.' 




CHARLES S. FRANCIS— 252 BROADWAY, 
MUNROE & FRANCIS— BOSTON. 



1833. 



7X1 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833, by 
Charles S. Francis, in the Clerk's Office of the District 
Court of the United States for the Southern District of 
New-York. 



/ &S~?. 



Clayton &, Van Norden, Printers, 
49 William-street, New-York. 



A VIEW 



PHRENOLO G Y 



I DESIGN to present a general view of phre- 
nology, its origin, nature, and progress. 

The literal signification of the term, is — a dis- 
course concerning the mind. By phrenology, 
however, is usually understood that system of 
mental and moral philosophy, which recognises 
the brain as a congeries of organs, by which 
the mental and moral faculties are manifested, 
during the connexion of the mind and the 
body. It makes no pretension to ascertain the 
nature of the mind itself, nor to determine 
whether it be material or immaterial, destined 
to immortality, or to perish with the body. 
Wisely does it leave these interesting inquiries 
to be solved by knowledge of a different kind. 

As phrenology, in connexion with other 
branches of science, such as those of insanity, 
legislation, and education, may be regarded 
as the greatest and most important discovery 
of modern times, it becomes us to attend to the 
1* 



A VIEW OF 



history of its origin and progress. The ho* 
nour of the discovery is unquestionably due to 
Dr. Gall, of Vienna, Dr. Spurzheim and Mr, 
Combe merit the praise of having been the most 
successful cultivators of the science. 

Dr. Gall, from an early age, was disposed 
to observation. He noticed the fact, that his 
brothers, and sisters, and schoolfellows, were 
each distinguished by some peculiarity of ta- 
lent or disposition. He found that the scho- 
lars with whom he had the greatest difficulty 
in competing, were those who learned by heart 
with much facility ; and such individuals fre- 
quently gained from him, by their repetitions, 
the places of honour and commendation, to 
which he had justly gained a title by the merit 
of his original compositions. His schoolfel- 
lows so gifted were observed to possess pro- 
minent eyes, and subsequently, in similar cases, 
he found this to be uniformly true. This fact, 
we are told, suggested to him the propriety of 
looking to the heads around him for other or- 
gans, either of intellect or of sentiment. From 
the first he referred the cause to the brain, and 
not to the bones of the head, as it has been ab- 
surdly represented by the opponents of the 
system. 

Dr. Gall studied the metaphysical writers 
with but little satisfaction. Being fully con- 
vinced there was a natural difference between 



PHRENOLOGY. 7 

individuals as to talents and dispositions, and 
finding those writers not acknowledging this 
principle, but speaking of all men as born with 
equal mental faculties and moral susceptibili- 
ties, and maintaining that the differences ob- 
servable between them were owing either to 
education or to accidental circumstances, he 
laid aside all reliance upon their theories, and 
devoted himself to the study of nature. " He 
visited prisons, and resorted to schools ; he was 
introduced to the courts of princes, to col- 
leges, and the seats of justice; and wherever 
he heard of an individual distinguished in any 
particular way, either by remarkable endow- 
ment or deficiency, he observed and studied 
the developement of his head. In this manner, 
by an almost imperceptible induction, he con- 
ceived himself warranted in believing that par- 
ticular mental powers are indicated by particu- 
lar configurations of the head." Anatomical 
investigations next occupied his attention, and 
he made several important discoveries respect- 
ing the structure of the brain and nerves. The 
fibrous constitution of the brain has by him 
and Dr. Spurzheim been demonstrated to the 
satisfaction of all anatomists, even of them who 
continue opposed to the peculiar doctrines of 
phrenology. 

Dr. Gall did not, as he has been falsely re- 
presented, first map out a head and assign a fa- 



A VIEW OF 



culty to each part, according to his fancy or 
caprice ; on the contrary, he remarked an 
agreement between certain mental faculties or 
moral dispositions, and certain forms of the cra- 
nium, and they were located one by one as they 
were presented to his observation. 

Dr. G. Spurzheim began the study in 1800, 
as a student of Gall, and has been an indefati- 
gable labourer in the fiejd of phrenological 
investigation, and a strenuous and successful 
advocate of truth and humanity. He has lec- 
tured in France, Great Britain, Ireland, and 
the United States, He arrived in New-York 
in July, 1832, and proceeded to Boston, where, 
after lecturing several weeks, he terminated his 
valuable life. Worthy of all eulogium and of 
all regret, he sleeps in our land : but his works 
survive, and may be considered as a valuable 
bequest to the friends of wisdom and virtue. 
His powers of analysis were great ; and much 
of the order and harmony of the science may 
be fairly attributed to him. Nor were his mo- 
ral sentiments less valuable or endearing. In 
this country (and I am proud to mention the 
fact) he was received with enthusiasm, enter- 
tained with cordiality, and lamented with sin- 
cere esteem, as well as heartfelt sorrow. " Re- 
quiescat in pace." 

In 1816, Mr. George Combe became a con- 
vert, and he has published a treatise on phre- 



PHRENOLOGY. \) 

nology, which is one of the best written and 
most interesting books in the English lan- 
guage. The Phrenological Journal and Mis- 
cellany has also contributed to the wide diffu- 
sion of knowledge on this increasing, and, as I 
firmly believe, enduring science. 

Dr. Charles Caldwell, of Kentucky, and 
others in this country, have given it their de- 
cided approbation ; and we may confidently 
say that the subject has received an impulse 
which will render its continuance perpetual, 
its progress certain, and its triumph complete. 

When we reflect upon the capacity and en- 
ergy of the mind; when we remember its 
boundless range and high destiny ; when we car- 
ry our thoughts forward towards its nobler anti- 
cipations and glorious endowments, and at the 
same time realize how unsatisfactory have been 
the speculations of metaphysicians, and how 
inadequate consciousness is to reveal its nature 
and properties ; we cannot but highly value the 
inestimable benefits which phrenology has 
bestowed upon the science of mind, and the 
brilliant light which it has shed over the men- 
tal, and moral, and physical constitution of 
man. The time of ridicule has passed away. 
A sneer is no shield for ignorance ; and who, 
I inquire, is wise, that is ignorant of himself? 
I have never known a person disparage the va- 
lue of phrenology, who was not unlearned in 



10 A VIEW OF 

its principles, or prejudiced against its truth. 
All the writings of metaphysical authors, how- 
ever valuable they may be as testimonies of 
the nicety of thought and of the power of the 
human intellect, leave us almost in total dark- 
ness regarding the composition of the mental 
faculties. The perusal of these authors has, 
however, some advantage; and, at present, a 
person who has never turned his attention to 
subjects of this kind, can hardly be regarded 
as a man of knowledge and learning. Locke, 
in my opinion, is decidedly the best of these 
writers in the English language, nor am I 
conscious he has any superior in any other. 
Neither Reid nor Stewart has improved upon 
him on the whole, though in some particulars 
of no great importance it may be conced- 
ed they have brought forward some useful 
thoughts. Brown was a man of greater depth 
and reach of thought than either Reid or 
Stewart ; but it may be doubted if he has es- 
sentially improved the cause of true know- 
ledge. These authors have all failed in their 
researches, because they neglected the mate- 
rial organization of the brain and nervous sys- 
tem. They have merely drawn from the foun- 
tain of their own consciousness, and such streams 
can never extend to the real fertilization of the 
mental field. Phrenology, on the other hand, 
is founded upon the simple fact, now scarcely 



PHRENOLOGY. 11 

denied or doubted, that the brain is the organ 
of the mind, or, more correctly, that it is a con- 
geries of organs, each one of which is subser- 
vient to a particular function. 

Phrenology does not assert that the mind is 
material, or that it cannot exist and act sepa- 
rate from the body. It only states, that, while 
united with the body, it employs material or- 
gans for its manifestation. It is impossible to 
define the nature of the soul, or to decide upon 
its duration by scientific research. Would we 
know the truth on these recondite subjects, we 
must consult a higher source; and by faith in 
divine revelation, we have our desires gratified 
in the most satisfactory manner. 

For my own part, I believe the soul and spi- 
rit dwell in clay until the death of the material 
frame, and then are not found naked, but im- 
mediately are " clothed upon" with a spiritual 
body, or inhabit a " house not made with 
hands, but eternal in the heavens," there to 
abide, as enduring as the days of eternity, and 
as blessed as the beatitude of God. I speak, 
of course, of those who are justified, sanctified, 
and saved. 

We may then believe that the mind uses the 
eye to see, the ear to hear, the hand to feel, and 
the brain to think ; and, if so, why not one 
part of the brain to enjoy the pleasures of 
friendship, another part to raise the emotion of 



12 A VIEW OF 

benevolence, and still another to quicken the 
energy of resentment ? 

The brain is, therefore, a congeries of or- 
gans : these are numerous and multiform : 
phrenology collects and arranges them in three 
great classes. The first class embraces those 
organs which give rise to the animal propensi- 
ties, and are nine in number. The second 
class contains those of the moral feelings or 
sentiments, nine or ten in number. The third 
class comprehends the intellectual organs or 
faculties, which are subdivided into the know- 
ing and the reflecting organs. Generally 
speaking, we say, the animal propensities are 
situated in the lower and posterior parts of the 
head, the moral sentiments in the superior la- 
teral parts, and the intellect in front. All arise 
from the medulla oblongata at the base of the 
scull, and are mostly extended to the surface 
of the cranium. Having indulged in these 
preliminary remarks, we shall now proceed to 
mention the various organs in their order, and 
shall briefly notice their functions and con- 
nexions. It should be remembered that they 
are all double, that is to say, that one of each 
name exists on either side of the brain. The 
brain is divided into two hemispheres by the 
falx, and the opposite sides are connected by 
commissures. 

But this rather belongs to the anatomy of 



PHRENOLOGY. 13 

the brain, of which we cannot speak particu- 
larly at present. 

CLASS I.— PROPENSITIES. 

No. I. — Amativeness. 

This is the organ of sexual love. The cere- 
bellum is its seat at the lower and posterior 
part of the head. It is very small in children, 
attains its full size between the ages of four- 
teen and twenty-four, and in old age often 
diminishes. It is less in females than in males* 
Dr. Spurzheim says, " It is impossible to unite 
a greater number of proofs in demonstration of 
any natural truth, than may be presented to 
determine the function of the cerebellum.' 7 
This organ exerts an influence manifestly be- 
neficial, giving rise to politeness and mutual 
good feeling between the sexes. Like the 
other faculties, it is liable to abuse. There 
is a connexion between this portion of the 
brain and the eyes, so that these sometimes 
convey all necessary intelligence from the lover 
to the beloved object. 

No. II. — Philoprogenitiveness- 

This long name simply imports love of off- 
spring. The attachment of several species, in- 

2 



14 A VIEW OF 

deed of most species, of animals to their 
young, is worthy of admiration. The instinct 
of nature, as it has been called in them, is 
but another name for the activity of this or- 
gan. The love of children is innate, arising, 
not from reason, nor from a sense of duty, but 
spontaneously. It is larger in females than 
in males, among all classes of animal exist- 
ence. It was discovered and established by 
Dr. Gall. Sometimes it has been deranged ; 
and women under this derangement have ima- 
gined themselves mothers, nurses, he. Were 
it not for the exercise of this faculty, the con- 
dition of helpless infancy would be truly de- 
plorable. It is situated in the posterior ex- 
tremity of the cranium, above the first-men- 
tioned organ. 

No. III. — CONCENTRATIVENESS OR INHABI- 
TIVENESS. 

Dr. Spurzheim observed this part to be large 
in those animals and persons who seem attached 
to particular places, and hence named it inha- 
bitiveness, or sense of habitation. Mr. Combe 
observed that some persons possess a natural 
facility of concentrating their thoughts and 
feelings, without the tendency to distraction 
by the intrusion of ideas, or emotions foreign 



PHRENOLOGY. 15 

to the subject under consideration ; and find- 
ing this portion large in such persons, has 
called it concentrativeness. Dr. Spurzheim 
does not admit this power of continued atten- 
tion as a primitive faculty, but supposes each 
organ to have the power within itself of direct- 
ing its own attention. The truth may be, that 
this organ comprises two faculties, and that, 
one part of it is concerned in inhabitiveness, 
and is large in birds of several kinds, and also 
in animals, while another part is the source of 
the power of intense attention, as supposed by 
Mr. Combe ; and if this be true, the difference 
can be readily reconciled. Nothing but ob- 
servation can decide the question. Abstruse 
reasoning is not admitted as proof in our sci- 
ence, which is built upon induction. It lies 
above philoprogenitiveness and between the 
organs of adhesiveness. 

No. IV. — Adhesiveness. 

When very large, two anular protube- 
rances will be found above philoprogenitive- 
ness, near the lamdoidal suture. If the 
neighbouring organs are large, then only a 
general fulness will be observable. " This 
faculty gives rise to the instinctive feeling of 
attachment, and causes us to experience the 
greatest delight in a return of affection." It 



16 A VIEW OF 

prompts to attachment, even to inanimate 
things; — hence the love of the girl for her 
doll, and the devotion of the adult for his coun- 
try and familiar institutions and manners. 
Patriotism is a compound emotion, and em- 
braces benevolence, conscience, and fortitude. 
Morbidly acute, it produces home-sickness and 
country-sickness in those who are banished 
from their native land and the home of their 
youth. The soldier on the field of battle dies 
remembering his home, and sweet recollec- 
tions of his distant country return to his mind, 
with mingled sweetness and regret. This organ 
is larger in women than in men. Those in 
whom it is largely developed, become mutually 
good friends, while those in whom it is deficient 
may have many acquaintance, but they will 
never enjoy the delights of pure friendship. In 
the inferior animals, as the dog, for instance, 
it exists oftentimes very strongly marked. It 
is the bond of union, and causes animals to 
herd together, and maintains harmony and 
peace. 

No. V. — CoMBATIVENESS. 

This is the propensity that leads to combat. 
I think it can be better understood by viewing 
it in relation with destructiveness. It is placed 
partly behind the ear and above the mastoid 
process. 



PHRENOLOGY. 17 



No. VI. — Destructiveness. 

Above the orifice of the ears, giving the 
disposition to destroy. Combativeness in- 
spires courage, and, when properly directed 
and controlled by the moral and mental 
powers, enables us to maintain the right and 
the truth. It is indispensable to the form- 
ation of an energetic character. Its undue 
excitement leads to war. Warlike nations have 
combativeness and destructiveness large. Com- 
bativeness gives resolution to meet danger 
unappalled, and to resist it; destructiveness 
renders the onset perilous and terrible. Com- 
bativeness enables us to encounter difficulty, 
and, having overcome it, is satisfied ; destruc- 
tiveness prompts us to exterminate our adver- 
saries. Destructiveness gives energy to the 
will, and, if combined with firmness, results in 
persevering activity in the pursuit of any ob- 
ject. 

Children frequently exhibit the possession of 
destructiveness and of combativeness. Their 
fondness for soldiers and warlike display, 
and their tendency to destroy their playthings, 
are evidences of the activity of these organs. 
In men, these faculties give the propensity to 
witness battles, either of other men, or of the 
inferior animals. To destructiveness must be 
2* 



18 A VIEW OF 

attributed the desire to see a fellow being suf- 
fer the extreme penalty of human law; and 
I am sorry to add, this desire is by no means 
confined to the stronger sex. This has been 
regarded as unaccountable. Phrenology re- 
veals the cause of the fact, which is too noto- 
rious to be disputed. Destructiveness is large 
in wilful murderers, and therefore was at first 
called the organ of murder. Now phrenolo- 
gists ask for facts. If the science be not 
true, certainly it would not be difficult to pre- 
sent one case in which murder had wilfully 
been committed by a person of comparatively 
small destructiveness and large benevolence, 
with an ordinary endowment of the mental 
and moral faculties. Such a case, however, 
never has been adduced ! If we compare the 
head of an herbivorous animal with that of a 
carnivorous one, we shall at once perceive how 
much the head of the latter exceeds in size the 
head of the former at this particular part of 
the brain. 

The pleasure taken by the ancient Romans 
in gladiatorial games depended upon their 
large destructive organs. The spectators were 
by no means the refuse of the people, but the 
intelligent and the illustrious composed no 
small portion of the admiring and almost en- 
raptured assembly. Even the vestal virgins 
had their appropriate seats, and all classes 



PHRENOLOGY. 19 

seemed equally to enjoy the bloody spectacle* 
The agony and death both of men and beasts 
contributed to the general excitement. Mo- 
dern civilization has abolished these cruel- 
ties. 

No. VII. — CONSTRUCTJVENESS. 

This is the faculty of construction. It is an 
essential ingredient in mechanical ingenuity. 
It gives birds the capacity for building nests, 
and beavers their wonderful instinct in con- 
structing their convenient habitations. Com- 
bined with ideality and causality large, it 
bestows the taste for ornamental architec- 
ture. Neither the hand nor the employment of 
any tool or instrument will supply the deficien- 
cy of size in this organ. They are not the pow- 
er, but simply the means by which architectu- 
ral designs, originating in this faculty, are car- 
ried into execution. It seems to be altogether 
wanting in such animals as make no attempts 
at building or any kind of construction. It 
lies in front^of destructiveness, and is covered 
by a considerable mass of flesh or muscle, for 
which due allowance should be made in esti- 
mating its size. 



20 A VIEW OF 



No. VIII. — Acquisitiveness. 

At first this was denominated the organ 
of theft, or propensity to steal. This being 
only the abuse of the faculty, the name was 
changed to the present very appropriate ap- 
pellation. The function of it is the desire to 
accumulate. 

When properly restrained and directed by 
the higher faculties, it leads to frugality and 
well-ordered economy. When uncontrolled 
and of high activity, it hurries its votary into 
dishonesty and shame. Some persons have 
almost an irresistible propensity to steal, even 
when their circumstances and rank in life 
would seem to preclude all possibility of such a 
crime. This organ is large in misers, and is 
apt to increase with increase of years. For 
the most part, it should be repressed in chil- 
dren, but, unhappily, some endeavour to foster 
selfishness, and to smother all generous feel- 
ings in their offspring. Phrenologically speak- 
ing, such parents repress the action of benevo- 
lence, and stimulate acquisitiveness. This is 
the reverse of what ought to occur. There 
can be no danger that mankind should be too 
much disposed to deny themselves for the be- 
nefit of others. Selfishness will grow and 
spring with sufficient luxuriance, uncultivated, 



PHRENOLOGY. 21 

and, like the poisonous upas, spread its baleful 
vapour on all around. This organ is found 
in several animals, as in the squirrel tribe, and 
in monkeys, and also in some birds ; hence do- 
mesticated crows, he. are often found to be ar- 
rant thieves. Drs. Gall and Spurzheim present 
us with many interesting anecdotes respecting 
the organ under consideration. It is placed 
somewhat behind and above constructive- 
ness and ideality. 

No. IX. — Secretiveness. 

Immediately above destructiveness we find 
this organ, which bestows the instinctive feel- 
ing of desire to conceal our opinions, ac- 
tions, and wishes. When too large, it leads 
to hypocrisy. It is the organ of what is com- 
monly called cunning. It contributes to 
form a prudent character, and is an essential 
ingredient in the constitution of human nature. 
" It prompts," says Dr. Gall, " the general of 
an army to use stratagem to deceive the ene- 
my, while it leads him to conceal his move- 
ments and enterprises, to make false attacks 
and counterfeit marches." Manifestations of 
the faculty in the insane are described by au- 
thors on that disease. The cunning shown by 
them in concealing their own state is often 
truly astonishing. 



22 A VIEW OF 



CLASS II.— SEiNTIMENTS. 

This class corresponds to the emotions of 
metaphysicians. Some are common to man 
with the inferior animals, and others are pecu- 
liar or proper to man. These emotions or af- 
fective powers are numerous; — they do not 
form ideas or think, but feel ; they are blind, 
and require to be directed by the intellect en- 
lightened by knowledge. 

No. X. — Self-esteem. 

It is situated at the summit of the poste- 
rior part of the head : it inspires the feel- 
ing of self-esteem and self-satisfaction, and, 
when in excess, produces pride and arrogance. 
A due endowment produces that degree of 
complacency with our own character and va- 
lue, which leaves the mind open to the enjoy- 
ment of the bounties of Providence, and the 
amenities of life. It aids in giving dignity in 
the eyes of others, and restrains from low and 
degrading vices, and thus is productive of ex- 
cellent results. It is usually large in states- 
men and in conquerors. In some animals, 
such as horses, turkey cocks, &c, it is mani- 
festly in operation. The noble steed shares 
with his rider the pleasure and the pride, as 



PHRENOLOGY. 23 

Pope says. When this part of the brain is 
disordered, men imagine themselves frequently 
to be princes, kings, &c. Some even fancy 
themselves angelic or superhuman beings. It 
was under the influence of this infatuation that 
Menecrates imagined himself the son of Jupiter, 
and requested Philip, King of Macedon, that 
he might receive divine honours. Philip, will- 
ing to humour him, invited him to a feast, and 
placed him at a table furnished with incense 
while the other guests were entertained with 
more substantial fare* At first he was highly 
delighted ; but, growing hungry, he felt himself 
to be but a man, and withdrew in his right un- 
derstanding. Thus Philip became a judicious 
physician. 

No. XI. — Love of Approbation. 

Placed on each side of number X., and dif- 
fering from it as vanity does from pride. It 
bestows the desire to please and to be agreea- 
ble. It is large in females, and is an ingre- 
dient in an amiable character. If too large or 
too active it occasions a fidgetty anxiety to 
know what others will think and say of us. 
Combined with large secretiveness it gives ori- 
gin to unmeaning compliments. It is possessed 
by the lower animals, and several of them evince 
tokens of pleasure when caressed. Children are 



24 A VIEW OF 

commonly much influenced by it, and therefore 
its proper direction and exercise require great 
attention on the part of parents and teachers. 
It is a powerful motive of action, and should be 
directed, therefore, to pursuits truly noble and 
beneficent. Never should it be allowed to 
supersede the dictates of reason or the appro- 
bation of conscience. Public applause highly 
gratifies this feeling in those who have it large, 
and some require no other reward for services 
rendered to the public. It is generally large 
in popular public speakers, and is perhaps a 
necessary stimulus to the orator. It affords 
a means of government in the education of 
children, and needs constant address on the part 
of educators, lest, on one hand, it be immode- 
rately gratified, and be made to " grow on what 
it feeds on," and, on the other, lest it be too much 
crossed and outraged by injudicious treatment, 
or unmerited reproach. 

No. XII. — Cautiousness. 

This lays the foundation of the cardinal 
virtue of prudence. Sometimes it degenerates 
into cowardice. It is large in children ; hence 
their timidity, which is not unfrequently ag- 
gravated by the frightful tales told them of 
witches, ghosts, and robbers. I am confident 
that I have found this portion of the brain 



PHRENOLOGY. 25 

diseased, and giving rise to melancholy and 
low spirits, attended with an indefinable kind 
of dread or anticipation of evil. It lies partly 
over number \ r . and IX., and occupies the cen- 
tre of the parietal bone. 

No. XIII. — Benevolence. 

Its name indicates its function. Situated 
at the upper part of the frontal bone, and form- 
ing the summit of the forehead. It is a 
source of happiness to the possessor — making 
him realize the " luxury of doing good." Li- 
berality of sentiment flows from it, as from a 
fountain. Adhesiveness gives us individual 
attachments, but benevolence binds us to our 
species, and produces kindness towards all men. 
It exists in the lower animals, and, when large, 
renders them gentle and docile. It can be re- 
cognised in the horse, by a fulness in the centre 
of the forehead. Horses which are deficient 
in this organ will be ill-tempered and vicious. 
It is sometimes morbidly excited in man, and a 
wasteful expenditure and giving away of pro- 
perty is often the first symptom of insanity. 



26 A VIEW OP 



No. XIV. — Veneration. 

At the middle of the coronal aspect of the 
head. It prompts to the feeling of reverence 
towards superior beings. This feeling is innate. 
Nations the most savage and unenlightened 
have some idea of a superior power, and fol- 
low some form of religious worship. " It is," 
as Dr. Gall observes, "an indirect proof of the 
existence of God." The Creator has bestowed 
it, and is himself the proper object of its exer- 
cise. This organ also produces the feeling of 
awe on viewing ancient majestic works of art. 
The lofty mountain, the deep valley, the yawn- 
ing abyss, and the mighty cataract, call it 
into activity. When misdirected, it leads to 
superstition. It is usually largest in females. 

No. XV.— Hope. 

This is located on each side of firmness, 
and inspires delightful anticipation of the fu- 
ture. It gilds and adorns every prospect. 
Large and active in youth, its possessors spring 
forward with vigour in the race of life, and 
are only repressed by the hard lessons of ex- 
perience. It has been sung by the poets, and 
rejoiced in by all. Deprived of this faculty 
life would be a blank, and existence a curse. 



PHRENOLOGY. 27 

No. XVI.— -Ideality. 

This is the organ of poetry. It is on the 
side of the, head above VII. It is found 
large in celebrated poets, and in many po- 
pular orators. Those in whom it is small 
can scarcely form any conception of its true 
function. It inspires enthusiasm and ardour 
in pursuit of the beautiful and romantic. It 
delights in imaginary excellence. 

Wonder is in the neighbourhood of the 
above organ, but is not numbered in Mr. 
Combe's plates. Dr. Spurzheim regards it 
as established, calling it marvellousness, and 
we have numbered it XXXIV. It disposes 
mankind to admire, to be astonished, and to 
believe in ghosts and supernatural events. It 
lies in front of hope, and obliquely above ideality. 
Those who have it very large are disposed to see 
apparitions. 

No. XVII. — Conscientiousness. 

Upwards from No. XII. and backwards 
from No. XV. The discovery of this organ 
is attributed with justice to Dr. Spurzheim. 
It is the organ of conscience. When mis- 
directed, it may make a conscience of unim- 
portant matters, when very deficient, honesty 
and fidelity will be wanting. Philosophers 



28 A VIEW OF 

have been divided in opinion whether man has 
any conscience naturally, or moral sense at all. 
Conscientiousness requires to be enlightened 
and instructed. It were as absurd to suppose 
man destitute of a faculty to feel moral differ- 
ences, and then attempt instructing" him in mo- 
rality, as to endeavour to impart a knowledge 
of the various colours of the rainbow to a per- 
son totally destitute of eyes. 

No. XVIII. — Firmness. 

It is at the top of the head between self- 
esteem and veneration. It bestows decision 
of character. Perseverance in enterprise and 
coolness in danger attend him who possesses 
it large. In excess, it leads to self-will and 
obstinacy. In deficiency, it leaves us a prey 
to circumstances, and renders us fickle and 
changeable. 

Note. — The faculties of veneration, hope, ide- 
ality, with wonder and conscientiousness, have 
been regarded as peculiar to man, and as con- 
stituting the superiority of his moral nature. 
Mr. Combe says, these convolutions of the 
brain are entirely wanting in the inferior ani- 
mals. On this subject! entertain some doubts. 
Do not animals exhibit firmness? and is not 
even " dogged obstinacy" a proverbial expres- 
sion for unreasonable self-will? Does not the fear 



PHRENOLOGY. 29 

of man arise in some degree from an obscure 
or rudimentary feeling of veneration towards 
the lord of creation, as his own pride has called 
him ? Does not the dog hope for the appro- 
bation of his master, and the horse for rest 
and refreshment after his daily labour ; or are 
these the operation simply of fear and the result 
of habit? Is conscientiousness, or a sense of 
right and wrong, altogether wanting ? It seems 
to me that it is chiefly, if not entirely, in the pos- 
session of this last faculty that man is distin- 
guished from the brute. I am inclined to believe 
that animals have much more intelligence than 
is usually attributed to them. But, after all, 
these are mere speculations, and the inquiries 
can be answered alone by experience. 

CLASS III.— INTELLECTUAL FACUL- 
TIES. 

Before I proceed to the enumeration and de- 
scription of the organs which compose this 
class of important endowments, it will be ne- 
cessary to notice the organs of the senses, as 
they are called. These are all external to the 
brain, and brought into connexion with it by 
means of appropriate nerves. External objects 
are presented to these sensitive organs, and im- 
pressions made upon them, or rather upon their 
nerves, are transmitted to the brain, which 
3* 



30 A VIEW OF 

forms ideas, or in other words perceives their 
existence and properties. The internal organs 
in the brain really take knowledge of these 
external things, and reflect, or judge of their 
relations — hence are subdivided into knowing 
and reflecting organs. 

The external senses are the eye, the ear, the 
nostril, the tongue, and the skin. The eyes see, 
the ears hear, the nostrils smell, the tongue tastes, 
and the skin feels. Thus, we have the sense of 
sight — hearing — smelling — tasting — and touch, 
or feeling. All these are capable of improve- 
ment, and are all instruments or means by which 
we are brought into relation with the external 
world. These afford inlets for knowledge, 
which is received, and digested, as it were, and 
incorporated by the brain ; and thus eternity is 
impressed upon knowledge. It becomes part 
and parcel of the soul, and is therefore more 
precious than rubies. Ci Wisdom is the prin- 
cipal thing." 

PART I. of CLASS III. —PERCEPTIVE FA- 
CULTIES. 

No. XIX. — Individuality. 

This organ since its discovery has been 
divided into individuality and eventuality. 
When the upper portion of it, or eventuality, 



PHRENOLOGY. 31 

is large, it gives the power to observe facts 
and occurrences with facility, and of remem- 
bering them long and distinctly. Individuality, 
the lower portion, takes cognoscence of persons 
and things. Together they confer a talent for 
minute observation — hence their importance to 
the natural philosopher, to the chemist and the 
historian. They enable the counsellor or advo- 
cate to apprehend the various topics of his argu- 
ment, as well as to recollect the statements of his 
adversary or of the witness. These organs ought 
to be well developed in the physician ; accurate 
observation of symptoms, fkc. is indispensable 
to his success. Persons who have these organs 
large, and the reflecting organs deficient, may 
acquire much learning, but will never become 
profoundly wise. They may collect the thoughts 
of others, but will not be deep thinkers them- 
selves. They dwell on small circumstances and 
minute events, but do not form broad, and en- 
larged, and comprehensive views. These or- 
gans are situated in the middle of the forehead, 
extending upwards from the root of the nose. 

No. XX. — Form. 

This lies between the orbits of the eyes 
at the root of the nose. It gives knowledge 
of the configuration or form of bodies. It 
is useful in the arts, especially in engraving, 



32 A VIEW OF 

painting, sculpture, he. Children whose eyes 
are widely separated are fond of drawing, and 
often show a talent for these employments. 

No. XXL— Size. 

It takes notice of the size and proportion 
of bodies, gives capacity for perspective, and 
informs us of the relative distance of bodies. 
It is a small organ. 

No. XXIL— Weight. 

This gives the sense of equilibrium, and 
forms conceptions of the gravity of things. 
It is affected in intoxication, and probably an 
irritation commenced here is the primary link 
in the chain of nausea or sea-sickness. With 
the last it is a small organ, and lies in the vicinity 
of the eyebrows, near the internal angle towards 
the nose. 

No. XXIII.— Colouring. 

The eyes do not conceive of colours, of 
their harmony or discord. This organ views 
the glorious spectacle produced by the va- 
riety and arrangement of colours. Some 
people, with no defect in their eyes, cannot 
discern the differences between colours. Mr. 



PHREXOLOGY. 33 

Combe gives several cases, and I have heard of 
a gentleman who purchased and wore scarlet 
pantaloons, supposing them to be drab. "The 
faculty of colour is necessary to painters, ena- 
mellers, and to all who are in any way occupied 
with colours- It is through its agency that we 
are charmed with the beauty of the fiower-gar- 
den, and the variously tinted landscape, ancl 
show good taste in the choice of colours for 
our dress, and the furniture of our houses." 
Its seat is about the middle of the eyebrow. 

No. XXIV. — Locality. 

This imparts the power of recalling places 
to the memory. It is large in emiment ma- 
thematicians. Where it is deficient the person 
is easily lost or bewildered. It is possessed 
by the lower animals. Sheep and dogs fre- 
quently return to their homes after having 
been carried a long distance. The superior- 
ity of one of Dr. Gall's companions in find- 
ing places and remembering localities first 
called his attention to this organ. It produces 
desire to travel and see distant places. It is 
above size, and extends to the middle of the 
forehead on either side. It was very large in 
Capt. Cook, the circumnavigator. 



34 A VIEW OF 



No. XXV.— Order. 

This gives the love of arrangement. It 
is gratified when every thing is in its place, 
and suffers when confusion reigns. It is use- 
ful to authors and orators. It is essential to 
n'eatness. When too small, the affairs, the 
clothes, and the furniture are never as they 
should be — hence its importance to the female, 
and to the order and harmony of household 
arrangements. It lies next to colour, over the 
orbit and under the eyebrow. 

No. XXVI.— Time. 

The ability to conceive of time, and of re- 
membering circumstances connected by no 
link but the order of succession, is the proper 
function of this organ. Time in music is 
recognised by the same faculty. The deaf 
and dumb frequently can keep good time 
in dancing, thereby proving that the hearing 
is not the source of this power. It is a special 
organ. 

No. XXVII.— Numeration. 

The organ of number includes whatver 
relates to calculation, unity and plurality, &c* 



PHRENOLOGY. 35 

Remembrance of dates and of chronology 
depends upon it. Those who have it small 
cannot call to mind numbers, nor readily per- 
form the operations of arithmetic. It is si- 
tuated at the external angle of the eye. 

No. XXVIII.— Tune. 

It is large in those fond of music, espe- 
cially in those skilled in the art of musical per- 
formances. The faculty of hearing in general 
and this faculty are distinct. Those who can 
hear acutely often are entirely destitute of 
any relish for music, and incapable of distin- 
guishing harmony from discord. 

No. XXIX. — Language. 

This was the first organ discovered, and 
its history and location have been already 
given. It enables us to express our ideas 
in words. It confers ability to learn differ- 
ent languages. Those who are deficient in 
this organ, although men of talent and of 
information, make but a poor figure in the 
world. Those, on the contrary, having it largely 
developed with a good endowment of the know- 
ing faculties, often pass for men of greater abi- 
lities than they really are. It is usually large 
in females. Dr. Spurzheim supposes it consists 



&6 A VIEW OF 

of several portions, one of which is devoted to 
proper names. 

PART II. of CLASS III.— REFLECTING FA- 
CULTIES. 

No. XXX. — Comparison. 

It gives capacity for perceiving resem- 
blances, similitudes, and analogies. It takes 
a wide range. It is highly useful to orators 
and authors, enabling them to present their 
subject in an attractive form, and to embel- 
lish it with beautiful or splendid illustrations, 
especially if ideality be large. It is situated in 
the upper middle pnrt of the forehead. It is 
more rarely deficient than any other of the re- 
flecting organs. The Scriptures are replete 
with comparisons, figures, and similitudes. It 
must have been large in the author of Pilgrim's 
Progress. 

No. XXXI.— Causality. 

It prompts to inquiry respecting the came 
of phenomena, and thus leads us to admit 
a great primary Cause or Deity. The power 
of reasoning, and of drawing inferences, is 
possessed in very different degrees by differ- 
ent individuals. Individuality and comparison 



PHRENOLOGY. $7 

lake cognisance of things, and causality searches 
after the cause of their existence, relation, and 
dependence. It is large and active in men dis- 
tinguished for great mental power. Such were 
Socrates, Bacon, Kant. This organ is the 
fountain of resources. It enables us to apply 
our knowledge, and confers the ability to think 
deeply and to argue logically. Causality, in- 
dividuality, eventuality, cautiousness, and firm- 
ness, form the stamina of true wisdom. 

Some, it is true, pass for wise men, in whom 
this organ is not very much developed ; but, 
when strictly examined, they will be found to 
be men of information, having large knowing 
organs, rather than men of great sagacity. 
They are clever and useful, but never give tone 
to their age. They acquire information, and 
if language be full, they can readily communi- 
cate it to others, but are not original thinkers. 

If the animal propensities are very large, 
while the moral sentiments are deficient, and 
causality large, the person so constituted 
probably will be a ringleader in iniquity. If 
the propensities are moderate, the sentiments 
small, and this organ full, the man will be dis- 
tinguished for mental ability, but his sincerity 
and integrity may be questionable. If the pro- 
pensities be moderate, the moral powers large, 
and the knowing and reflecting organs also 
large, the individual so endowed will, unless 
4 



38 A VIEW OF 

circumstances be very unfavourable indeed, at- 
tain the full perfection of his nature. Mora! 
worth is as essential to true greatness as intel- 
lectual ability- Causality lies just outside of 
comparison. 

No. XXXII.— Wit. 

" Every body," says Mr. Combe, " knows 
what is meant by wit y and yet no word pre- 
sents more difficulty in its definition." The 
moderate size and exercise of this organ in- 
duces a current of pleasing thoughts through 
the mind. It was first called "gayety," and 
seems peculiar to man. Dr. Spurzheim re- 
garded it as a moral feeling rather than an 
intellectual faculty ; but the Scotch phrenologists 
have classed it with comparison and causality. 
By these gentlemen, especially by Mr. Scott, 
comparison is supposed to take notice of simi- 
larities and resemblances, and wit to be occupied 
with differences and contrasts ; while causality, 
lying between them, judges of connexion and 
causation ; and thus collectively the three are 
considered the highest manifestation of intel- 
lect. Accordingly, in the busts of celebrated 
statesmen and philosophers, these organs, occu- 
pying the superior portion of the forehead, are 
represented large. Even the statues of heroes 
and of the gods among the ancient Greeks and 



PHRENOLOGY. 39 

Romans, possess this configuration. Whence 
did this arise ? Evidently from the study of 
nature. Such men as were distinguished for 
intellectual power were observed by artists to 
have large foreheads, and as the gods were 
supposed to excel men in understanding, they 
likewise were represented with ample brow and 
expanded front 

No. XXXIIL— Imitation. 

Children and the young of many animals 
are prone to imitation. It is important, there- 
fore, that children should have good exam- 
ples set before them. This organ is lak'ge in 
good mimics and actors. It is situated above 
causality and next to benevolence externally. 
When large, and benevolence also large, the 
upper part of the forehead will be full and 
handsomely rounded. This, in the monkey and 
some other animals, appears as a propensity 
rather than an intellectual faculty; and in man, 
perhaps, it ought not to be regarded as an attain- 
ment of the higher order of excellence. 

No. XXXIV.— Wonder, see page 27. 



USES OF PHRENOLOGY. 



We have passed in review the several organs, 
and pointed out their specific functions — we 
have seen that man is a compound being*, not 
only composed of body of various parts and 
structures, and of mind in a mysterious con- 
nexion, but also that the mind itself embraces 
several classes of faculties, and that each of 
these faculties has its appropriate seat in the 
brain. Such is phrenology ! Some there 
are who are ever ready to inquire, " what is the 
use? where is the utility? &c." To such, and 
all others, phrenologists reply, that TRUTH is 
valuable for its own sake, and ought always to 
be so considered. Knowledge of truth is not 
only power, but happiness, — not only a means, 
but an end. Here we might rest our defence, 
but we are not without an answer of a different 
kind. I believe that the science is of immense 
importance, and I will briefly point out some of 
its uses. 

Phrenology is of paramount importance in 
its influence upon medicine, law, education, 
and the general welfare of mankind. 

In the treatment of the insane, a knowledge 
of phrenology is absolutely indispensable. This 



A VIEW OF PHRENOLOGY. 41 

Is now beginning; to be understood. In most 
forms of mania, one or more of the primitive 
faculties are diseased, and phrenology explains 
the seat of the lesion, and exhibits the nature 
and extent of the operation, whose result is erro- 
neous judgment or morbid feeling. Thus it 
unveils the true theory of insanity. Is not this 
an important benefit ? Who is there, having a 
friend, brother, parent, suffering under this 
dreadful malady, that could undervalue the 
light which phrenology sheds upon mind, in 
either its healthy or diseased state? Is it of no 
use to be put in possession of such a means of 
combating mental disorder, and of restoring 
the insane to their friends, to their usefulness, 
to themselves? Let the inmates of the lunatic 
asylum answer. Imagine an interval in their 
madness, in which this question should be put 
to them, and what think you would be the 
reply ? 

Nor is phrenology less important in a legal 
point of view. The question of insanity is of- 
ten involved in criminal proceedings. Surely, 
every means of investigation, promising hope 
of success, where the life of man is jeoparded, 
should be hailed with joy, and employed with 
understanding and zeal. Some one faculty may 
be diseased, while other faculties are in health- 
ful exercise ; and we may be enabled, by an ac- 
quaintance with this subject, to determine to 
4# 



42 A VIEW OF 

what extent such partial derangement ought to 
be a shield from punishment for any crime com- 
mitted in such circumstances. To deprive a 
person of life, who is a suitable inmate of a 
lunatic asylum, is revolting to every feeling of 
humanity. Here, then, our science appears 
the friend of the most miserable and pitiable of 
the human family. But this is not all. A 
skilful phrenologist would be able to detect, 
with a considerable degree of certainty, any 
imposition that a knave or criminal might at- 
tempt to make. Thus the ends of justice would 
be answered. Not only criminal legislation, 
but legislation of every kind, might receive 
much assistance from a knowledge of the true 
constitution of man. Political economy also 
draws largely upon the stores of phrenolo- 
gical truth, in its endeavours to promote the 
best outward interests of man ; but 1 cannot 
dwell upon this interesting relation of two 
sciences. 

Education will eventually owe much to phre- 
nology. Physical education, which prepares 
the body for activity and usefulness, demands 
far more attention than it has hitherto received. 
The mental powers should not be too early 
tasked. Let the young enjoy the springtide 
of life. Exercise, and sport, and play, com- 
pose not merely their delight, but best good. 
By exercise, their forms are expanded, their 



i>Hfc£NOLO&\\ 43 

organic structure developed, and their muscles 
strengthened. Confinement to a sitting pos- 
ture, and constant attention to books, are alto-' 
gether wrong, and utterly injurious. Moral 
culture has not yet obtained that assiduous care 
which its importance demands. Phrenology, 
having discovered the mental and moral or- 
gans, and having ascertained that they exist in 
different relative proportions in different indivi- 
duals, reveals the correct principle and plan of 
education. Every child should be educated in 
accordance with his physical, moral, and intel- 
lectual constitution. Some faculties require 
restraint, others to be urged into action. It is 
absurd to endeavour to qualify children for 
such stations in society as nature never in- 
tended they should occupy* A uniform sys- 
tem of education is as ridiculous as it is nuga- 
tory. 

The knowing faculties should be directed 
to the acquisition of information, and the re- 
flecting faculties be taught to compare, ana- 
lyze, and determine. A person of great mus- 
cular power and small mental endowment, 
ought to be trained to hard labour. He is 
fitted for it. It is his proper calling by the 
voice of nature. He who possesses superior 
moral worth, or mental greatness, with less 
physical force, owes it to himself and to man- 
kind to take the exalted place assigned him 



44 A VlfiW OF 

in the scale of being, and to devote himself to 
the cultivation and improvement of his fellow 
creatures, in some department of usefulness or 
other. 

The present system of education often re- 
verses all this; it is of course absurd and de- 
trimental. Phrenology is destined, soon or 
late, to revolutionize the common course of 
education, and to render man, physically, mo- 
rally, and mentally pre-eminent in this lower 
world. Compared with the present, of such a 
consummation it may be said, that men will 
become wiser and better — " Non DOCTIOR, 
SED IMBUTUS MELIORA DOCTRINA." 

In conclusion, we may say, that phrenology 
has unfolded to man his true character as a 
moral and intellectual being, and has taught 
him the important truth, that his highest hap- 
piness, and best interest, as well as his reputa- 
tion and consciousness of rectitude, lead him 
to repress the animal propensities of his nature, 
and to cultivate those nobler faculties, which 
give him the dominion over the creatures, and, 
to a considerable extent, the events which pass 
before him. The Creator intended the moral 
sentiments and the mental powers should have 
the supremacy, and constituted man in such a 
manner as to enable him, by the exercise of 
these talents, to enjoy himself, whilst he bene- 
fits others. This is the true, the only true 



irHRENOLOGY. 45 

theory, of morality ; and when it is well un- 
derstood, and diligently practised, the rich and 
glorious imaginations of the poet and the phi- 
lanthropist will be literally realized. Mankind 
have hitherto supposed that their own interest 
was to be purchased at the expense of the wel- 
fare of others, and have acted accordingly. 
What wonder, then, that violence, and strife, 
and bloodshed, form so large a portion of the 
history of the human race ! This error has 
been adopted by the governments of the earth, 
and is as mischievous in national diplomacy 
as in the social circle. But a brighter dawn 
has arisen upon the destiny of man, and he 
will yet become wise and virtuous, and there- 
fore happy. 



